Merdeka Square & Monas
Medan Merdeka & Monas

Merdeka Square is a square that spans a vast area in the center of Jakarta. In the middle of the square stands Monas, a 132-meter-high obelisk that is Indonesia’s national monument and a landmark of Jakarta. Monas stands for Monumen Nasional, and it was built from 1961 to 1975 to celebrate Indonesia’s freedom and struggle for independence from colonial times. The monument is covered with 35 kilograms of gold leaf on top, forming a flame that symbolizes the nation’s continuous struggle for freedom. Inside the base is a museum with exhibits describing Indonesia’s history from ancient times to the declaration of independence in 1945. An elevator takes visitors up to a viewing platform near the top, where on a clear day you can see large parts of the capital.

Merdeka Square is surrounded by a number of important government buildings, such as the presidential palace, several ministries, and the Central Bank of Indonesia. The place is popular among the city’s residents as a place to walk, have picnics or attend major public events. On weekends, the square and surrounding streets transform into a vibrant area with street vendors, musicians and families enjoying the green space in the middle of the metropolis. Merdeka Square serves as both a symbolic and geographical center of Jakarta and provides a good starting point for exploring the city’s attractions.

Merdeka Palace
Istana Merdeka

Istana Merdeka or Freedom Palace is a residence located in the heart of Jakarta and is one of Indonesia’s most iconic buildings. Originally built by the Dutch colonial government in 1796, the palace served as the residence of the Dutch Governor-General. After Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the palace was renamed Istana Merdeka and officially served as the presidential residence. The building’s architecture is a mix of classical European style and Indonesian elements, reflecting the country’s colonial history and cultural diversity. The facade is characterized by a white color with columns and a wide veranda, giving the palace an imposing appearance. Around the building is a large garden, and the palace is surrounded by a fence, creating a certain distance between its function as the official presidential residence and the busy life of Jakarta.

Today, Istana Merdeka primarily serves as the presidential palace of Indonesia. It is the place where the Indonesian president receives state visits and holds official meetings with foreign delegations. The palace also hosts ceremonial events such as national holidays and major state affairs. Although the palace is not open to the public as a tourist attraction, it can be seen from a distance from Merdeka Square. Several other important government buildings are also located near the palace, emphasizing the central role that Istana Merdeka plays in Indonesian political life. Istana Merdeka is just one of seven presidential palaces in Indonesia. There are several to ensure that the president can maintain a presence in different regions in order to govern and visit all parts of the country, which consists of over 17,000 islands.

National Museum
Museum Nasional

The National Museum in Jakarta, also known as Museum Gajah or the Elephant Museum after the large elephant statue in front of the building, was founded in 1778 as a place to collect and preserve the history and cultural heritage of Indonesia. The museum is one of the oldest and most comprehensive cultural institutions in Southeast Asia and has undergone several expansions and renovations, making it an important center for research and storage of museum objects.

The museum’s collection spans Indonesia’s diverse history from early civilizations through the colonial era to modern Indonesia. The museum has an impressive collection of art, sculptures, textiles, weapons, ceramics and a wealth of archaeological finds representing the many ethnic groups and cultures of the country. One of the most famous collections is the prehistoric finds, which include stone tools and fossils that provide insight into the earliest humans in the Indonesian archipelago.

The museum building is an architectural neoclassical gem with elegant exhibition halls. It was built in the early 19th century and has been modernized several times to accommodate the museum’s growing collections. The large elephant statue in front of the museum dates from 1953 and has become a symbol of the institution, which functions as both a museum and a research center where historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists can study Indonesia’s diverse history.

Old City
Kota Tua

Kota Tua means the old city and is the historical center of Jakarta and one of the city’s most interesting areas. Originally known as Batavia, the district was founded by the Dutch in the early 17th century when it became the capital of the Dutch colonial administration in Southeast Asia. During the colonial period, Batavia was a thriving trading center and a strategic hub for the Dutch East India Company. The city’s architecture from this period, with beautiful Dutch colonial buildings and narrow streets, reflects the grandeur that Batavia had at that time. Kota Tua was thus the heart of colonial power, and many of the buildings in the area have been preserved as a testament to this part of Indonesia’s history.

Kota Tua is home to several historical attractions, and you can start a tour of the district at Taman Fatahillah/Fatahillah Square, which formed the center of old Batavia under the Dutch name Nieuwe Markt. The square is surrounded by several iconic buildings such as Batavia’s historic city hall, which is now the Museum Sejarah Jakarta/Jakarta History Museum, which tells the story of the city and its colonial past. The square was later renamed Stadhuisplein, where the courthouse Palais van Justitie was completed in the neoclassical style. Today, it houses the Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik/Fine Arts & Ceramics Museum, where you can see fine art and ceramics from Indonesia and other countries. The square also houses the Kantor Pos Kota/Kota Post Office, which was built as a Post- and telegraaf kantoor in the Neue Sachlichkeit style in 1929.

From Fatahillah Square you can take a stroll through the old streets and enjoy the architecture and atmosphere of this part of Jakarta. For example, you can walk south, where there are several interesting buildings. Here is the Bank Indonesia Museum, which has an extensive collection of objects covering the country’s economic development, the financial system, and especially the development of Indonesia’s monetary policy. The museum is located in a beautiful building from 1909-1912, which was built for the Dutch De Javasche Bank, which played a central role in the administration of the Dutch colonial economy. Immediately south of the museum is another museum, Museum Mandiri, whose museum building from 1929 housed the trading company Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij N.V.

It is also home to Kota Station, one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant railway stations. The station was originally opened in 1887 during the Dutch colonial era as part of the development of the railway network in Java, which was crucial for trade and transport during the colonial period. It was built in the Kota Tua district, which was the center of economic activity in the Dutch colony. The station has a distinctive colonial architecture characterized by large pillars and a wide, open entrance, giving a period impression of the railway era in which it was built. Today, Kota Station remains one of the main railway stations in Jakarta, serving both local trains and long-distance connections to other parts of Java.

Wayang Museum
Museum Wayang

The Wayang Museum in Kota Tua, Jakarta, is a museum dedicated to the traditional Indonesian art form of wayang. It is an old-fashioned puppet and puppet theater with deep roots in Indonesian culture and history. Opened in 1975, the museum is a treasure trove of artifacts and exhibits that highlight the importance of wayang theatre to both art and religion in Indonesia. Wayang puppetry originates from Java and Bali and has been recognized as an important part of Indonesian cultural heritage, which was confirmed when it was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Wayang Museum houses an impressive collection of wayang puppets, ranging from classic leather puppets called wayang kulit to wire puppets and marionettes called wayang golek. The exhibits provide an insight into the different forms of puppetry and their use in religious, ceremonial and entertaining contexts. Wayang puppetry is not just a form of entertainment. It is also a medium for, among other things, moral and religious education, often based on Hindu and Buddhist myths such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The museum features exhibits that explain the complex symbolism and narratives that are part of the tradition.

Istiqlal Mosque
Masjid Istiqlal

Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta is Indonesia’s largest mosque and one of the most impressive religious buildings in Southeast Asia. Construction of the mosque began in 1961 and was completed in 1978, when it was inaugurated on 22 February. The mosque was built as a symbol of Indonesia’s independence and unity after the country’s transition from Dutch colonial rule. The name Istiqlal means independence, and the mosque was built as a symbol of national pride and the Muslim faith, which today plays a central role in Indonesian culture and society. Construction was initiated under President Sukarno and had strong political and religious significance, as it was seen as a national project to mark the country’s independence and cultural identity.

Architecturally, Istiqlal Mosque is an impressive building with a modern design that combines elements of traditional Islamic architecture and modern construction methods. It is known for its enormous size and open, bright interior, which can accommodate up to 120,000 worshippers at a time. Built of concrete and steel, the mosque has a large domed roof that dominates the skyline of central Jakarta. There is also a large courtyard and a beautiful interior with delicate patterns and impressive calligraphy. Istiqlal Mosque is not only a religious institution, but also a symbol of religious tolerance in Indonesia, as it is located directly opposite Jakarta’s Catholic Cathedral, creating a strong image of interfaith coexistence.

Jakarta Cathedral
Gereja Katedral Jakarta

Jakarta Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral of the Incomparable Assumption of Our Lady, is the Catholic cathedral in Jakarta. It is also one of the most impressive religious buildings in Indonesia. The cathedral was originally built mainly in the late 19th century, with construction completed in 1901. Construction of the cathedral began during the Dutch colonial period as a replacement for the previous church built by the Portuguese missionaries. It was given the Dutch name De Kerk van Onze Lieve Vrouwe ten Hemelopneming, and it was designed in an impressive Gothic style. The cathedral quickly gained status as a symbol of the Catholic faith in Indonesia, where Catholicism, although a minority, has deep roots.

Jakarta Cathedral is a marvel of Gothic architecture with an impressive facade and two tall towers that can be seen in the skyline of the Indonesian capital. The architecture of the building is characterized by traditional Gothic elements, such as pointed arches, large windows with stained glass. The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with high ceilings, beautiful woodwork and a richly decorated altar. The large windows contain stained glass depicting biblical scenes and important religious events, creating a quiet and meditative atmosphere in the church. The Gothic style reflects the traditions of European Catholic churches, but is also adapted to the local context of Jakarta, making the cathedral a unique blend of European design and Indonesian and colonial culture.

Chinatown
Glodok

The Glodok neighborhood is Jakarta’s Chinatown, and it is also one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The area has been a center for the Chinese population in Jakarta since colonial times, and has preserved its unique culture and architecture over the centuries. In Glodok, you will find narrow streets filled with markets, shops, and restaurants, where Chinese culture meets Indonesian lifestyle. The neighborhood was once known as a trading post for Chinese merchants, and this can still be seen in the streetscape today, where Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood, home to a large Chinese-Indonesian population and a popular area for tourists who want to experience the colorful mix of traditional Chinese culture and modern Jakarta.

On a trip to Glodok, there are a number of interesting experiences and places to explore. One of the well-known attractions is Vihara Dharma Bhakti, which is the oldest Buddhist temple in the area. Founded in 1650, the temple is an atmospheric place where you can admire traditional Chinese decoration with sculptures and patterns. You should also visit Pasar Glodok, Chinatown’s bustling market. Here you can soak up the atmosphere and buy everything from Chinese spices and herbs to electronics and souvenirs. Chinatown is also known for its small, authentic restaurants and street food, where you can taste traditional Chinese-Indonesian food such as the noodle soup bakmi and the fried rice noodles called kwetiau. And like other places with Chinese culture, Chinatown is a great place to experience during Chinese New Year with parades, colorful decorations and festive markets.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, which means Beautiful Indonesia Mini Park, is an interesting theme park where you can experience the whole of Indonesia in miniature. The park is located in Southeast Jakarta and opened in 1975. It was designed with pavilions representing each of Indonesia’s provinces. The different pavilions showcase traditional houses, costumes, tools and customs from that region.

The park also contains an artificial lake with miniature islands that reflect the geographical shape of Indonesia, as well as several specialized museums, a botanical garden, an aviary and a small cable car that provides an overview of the area. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a popular excursion destination for families and tourists, where you get a unique opportunity to get a taste of the entire cultural richness of the country without leaving Jakarta.